4 Oswald Terrace, Sturton Street

A Night Watchman's Family

1906

Oswald Terrace built, described as a row of ‘seaside villas’ and built by a man called Oswald. In 1984, Eric van Tassel, resident of no.4, told Down Your Street that “The houses were set back two feet from the road. The bay windows were constructed on the cheap as there is no bay to sit in. They were self-conscious and up-market for the time.”

1911 onwards

Head of household in 1911 is William Henry Hardy.  He works as a Night Watchman at The Leys School and is away from home on the night of the 1911 Census.  The 1911 Census return has been filled in with the word “widow” next to Bertha’s name, which is incorrect.  William can be found with other members of The Leys staff on a different census return.

Bertha and William have been married for nine years and have three children.  Ena Violet is 4,  Alfonso Henry Gordon is 2 and Gerald Kenneth Hardy is 1.

“By Order of the Personal Representatives of William Pate, deceased, Cambridge, Sale of Small Freehold Town Properties, comprising; Six Freehold Modern Dwelling Houses, well built of Brick with Slate Roofs and with Long Gardens, situated and being Nos 1-6 Oswald Terrace, Sturton Street.” Cambridge Daily News 16 March 1920

Ena married Thomas Barnes in 1932.  By 1939 the couple are living at Hine’s Farm in Comberton with their children.  Thomas works as a Horsekeeper.

William and Bertha are still living at 4 Oswald Terrace at the time of the 1939 register.  William is working as a custodian at Alexandra Gardens.

Electoral registers show the Hardy’s living at the property until the records end in 1966.

Sources: 1911 UK Census, Cambridge Daily News 16 March 1920, 1939 Register, Cambridgeshire Electoral Registers, Burgess Rolls and Poll Books (1722-1966),

1984

(Down Your Street)

Eric Van Tassel, press officer for CND